The Dargah of Murshid Samuel L. Lewis
Lama Foundation, Questa, New Mexico
The Dargah of Murshid Samuel Lewis is located at Lama Foundation, New Mexico. Pilgrims are welcome to visit the shrine whenever Lama Foundation is open for visitors. Contact the Lama Foundation for more information.
Listen to Pir Shabda Kahn and Khalif Malik Braun, Project Manager, talk about the creation and building of the Dargah. Watch video
photo of Murshid SAM's grave at Lama Foundation in 2007
"Dargah" is a Persian word for the burial shrine of a sufi saint or master. The architect of the Dargah, Eric Doud, synthesized the form of traditional dargahs of India and Pakistan with the Southwestern architecture of the New Mexico region. He applied principles of sacred geometry so the Dargah would have resonance with fundamental forms found throughout nature.
The foundation stone facade design is meant to honor the first inhabitants of the land, the Ancient People. The dome of the Dargah echoes the structure of the Lama dome and the cherished Old Kitchen, with its eight-sided geometric design. Malik Braun was the Project Manager for the building of the Dargah which spanned a period of 10 years from inspiration to manifestation.
Murshid SAM was the first spiritual teacher invited to teach at Lama Foundation by the resident community. Upon visiting Lama, he was deeply impressed by the ideals and practices held at Lama Foundation and asked to be buried there.
Inspiration and Manifestation
The Construction of the Dargah
Pir Shabda Kahn wrote in April 2014:
On Saturday April 12, 2014 the Lama Council, the governing body of Lama Foundation in San Cristobal NM, where our Murshid Samuel Lewis is buried, gave its final approval for the design of a beautiful and functional shrine on Murshid SAM's gravesite. Planning has gone forward and work on the site has begun!
Hazrat SAM had the unique ability when visiting the shrines of saints in the East to empty himself and receive their direct guidance. Before his passing he predicted that his own resting place would become just such a touchstone, a place where pilgrims could receive guidance and answers to Life's question. For his disciples, he stressed the importance of creating such shrines and pilgrimage places in America. I feel Murshid guiding us to create this shrine on Lama Mountain.
photo of Murshid SAM at Lama Foundation by Saul Barodofsky
In 2007, following compelling inner guidance, I approached Lama Foundation to gain permission to build a proper shrine on Murshid SAM's grave. Taking a solitary retreat by Murshid SAM's grave, and not being able to sit as his gravesite for more than a few minutes because of the intense sun at 8,700 feet, confirmed the inspiration as a way to provide shade and beauty at Murshid SAM's Dargah, in order to be able to spend quality time there.
When I first went to Hazrat Inayat Khan's Dargah in Mother India in 1976 it was also open air, open to the sky, and quite unusable for more than a short visit because of the elements. For past several decades now, Hazrat Inayat Khan's Dargah is beautifully fashioned with a protective dome, and it is very accommodating for even large groups of pilgrims to be there for long periods. Naturally, I wish the same for Murshid SAM's Dargah!
photos of HIK Dargah 1976 and below, 2007
Those of you who have travelled to dargahs and shrines have yourselves likely touched the power flowing there from the Spirit of Guidance. Such sacred spaces offer infinitely more than a quiet place to meditate - they can become a portal to the Awakened Heart. We build the shrine in stone, wood and glass, in an attempt to provide a container to experience the magnificence of the silent, motionless inner reality that is our eternal and infinite Source. I believe that manifesting this vision will be a powerful and vitalizing force for the Ruhaniat, for Lama Foundation, and for humanity for many generations to come.
The general picture of the Dargah is an open pavilion or gazebo, no walls, with 8 limestone carved pillars at 24 feet across, a dome, and an overhang for shade. Murshid SAM's white quartz stone covered burial mound will remain untouched, surrounded by a stone floor, cut in a geometric pattern.
 |
|
 |
Our hope is to build a structure that will last 500 years! Work is to begin with creation of the access path and building of the foundation before winter. We deeply appreciate your support and generosity toward this vision.
With all love,
Pir Shabda Kahn
Project Documents and Media:
Sacred geometry and the design of the Dargah, by architect Eric Doud
Blessing Ceremony, Lama Foundation, August 17, 2014
Joint Letter from Lama Foundation and SRI, April 5, 2015
Project update video from Pir Shabda, November 2015
A visit to the stone yard in India, February 2016
Video of the dome placed on top, May 2017
The Dedication and Celebration Retreat, August 26, 2017
Dargah construction photos: 2015
Dargah construction photos: 2016